Dutch Minister Reports to Senate on Abducted Jewish Orphan

March 1, 1956

THE HAGUE (Feb. 29)

There is no ground for believing that Roman Catholic priests are collaborating in the hiding of Anneke Beekman, Jewish war orphan, and there is no certainty whether any or which priest is involved, Netherlands Minister of Justice Dr. J. C. van Qeven told the Senate yesterday.

The Senate is scheduled to hold a debate next week on the Beekman case in which a number of Roman Catholic clerics have been involved. The High Court at Amsterdam is scheduled to hear an appeal March 8 on behalf of five persons convicted of secreting the girl, refusing to turn her over to the Jewish community in line with a court order, and in removing her from the country. Three of the five have already fled Holland.